POPULAR SINGER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3114, 4 May 1942, Page 2

POPULAR SINGER

VERA LYNN’S WAR WORK MUSIC FOR ARMS WORKERS Vera Lynn, the “sweetheart of the Forces,” as the 8.8. C. called her, is to-day the favourite singer of men and women workers in Britain’s wai factories. ' Half a million records of “Yours,” the song which made hex famous, have already been sold to the factories and the Forces, and the demand goes on-. Another big seller is Deanna Durbin’s “Because” and “Last Rose of Summer,” two old favourites on either side of the record. The fresh voioe of this young Canadian star has sent its circulation up to 120,000 copies to date. Others in the lead are: Bing Crosby, Ambrose for dance music, Sydney Torch for organ medleys in which the workers join, and Charlie Kunz at the piano. Special compered, programmes of mixed items are now being supplies to factories at the bare cost of the records. This was Lord Beaverbrook’s idea. lie asked for an entertainment to fill in half-hour breaks in the work. The result is a scheme by which, using double turntables and records from all the different makers, the workers are given a 25-minute mixed programme o^,popular items —for example, a hot-rhythm number, a woman vocalist, a military band, an organ solo and a tenor like Caruso or Webster Booth. ENGAGEMENT CALLAND—McKAIN The engagement is announced between Daphne (Pearl, second daughter of Mr J. McKain and the late Mrs McKain, Netherton, and Henry Raymond Calland, only son of Mrs G. C. Taylor, Whakapara, Whangarei. SEEN AT THE WHEEL Girls clad in smart khaki uniforms and distinguishable by blue ties, are a familial’ sight ■ nowadays. Invariably they are to be seen driving heavy military lorries.